Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1887-02-22
-Rejoinder of the Anti-camden
Legislators.

This is an able, forcible and I'M
exposition of the reasons
which induced the IL Democrats to
refuse To go into the Legislative eau
Gus. This rejoinder ought to be pub
lished by all the papers of the State.
The people are entitled to the truth.
They ought to have the facts on both
sides of this important and prominent
question, so they can for themselves
decide what is the truth, 1. e., who
are right in this contest. The Balti-
more Sun is exemplary in this re-
spcct. It's columns are open to the
advocates of both sides of National,
State, County and Municipal ques-
lions. Hence, the popularity of the
San and its reputation for ability and
fairness. No malignant denunciation
of opponents, or boyish assumption
of editorial wisdom.
We note some points in this re-
joindcr:
The ~ say it is their duty to rep
resent the wishes of their constituents
On this and all other questions, and
not what may seem to be the wishes
of others. This is certainly good
Democratic doctrine. Hence the
course of Messrs. Lucas and, Chew
was plain, as the contest was made
and decided against Camden in this
county.
The - state how the Federal pa
tronage was used in this State, not to
strengthen the Democratic party, but
to secure Camden's reelection. In
spite of Mr.. Cleveland's order upon
this subject, we found that the Fed
eral appointees were seeking to con-
troll nominations and carry primaries
in Mr.. Camden's favor.
Many newspapers in the State have
been influenced by Federal appoint
ments. The facts in Jefferson and
Berkeley prove this position.
The Federal officials and those to
whom offices were promised were in
Charleston, reasonably believed to
have been brought and kept there
- at Mr.. Camden's expense. all clam
orous for his reelection We be-
lieve, moreover, that many delegates
during this canvass had been ten
dcred by Mr.. Camden and in many
cases received money from him to Sc
cure their election" In some coun-
ties Independent candidates and Re-
publicans were voted for to defeat
the anti-Camden nominees. Was
this good Democratic practice? After
doing these things Mr.. Camden said
lest for his liberality the State would
have gone Republican. He was work
ing for himself, leaving the Lord, or
the Devil, as the case may be, to take
care of the Democratic party.
The u say-Mr. G. is an ordinary
man intellectually and not competent
to discharge properly the duties of a
Senator. Many who know MIR. G.
attest the truth of this declaration.
But for his money, he never would
have hindered the progress of Dem
ocratic truth. Certainly a man like
him ought to be satisfied with six
years of Senatorial life. But the
thirst for Office is Unsuitable.
And moreover we saw in Mr..
Camden the representative and de-
fender of the most gigantic and odious
monopoly of the age, which has been
aptly called g commercial crime,"
the Standard Oil Company. TO re-
elect him under such circumstances.
we believe would be not only un-Dem-
ocratic, but dangerous to our free
American institutions.
We have given this imperfect sym
opsis of the rejoinder to keep it be-
fore the pcople-to induce them to
read and re-read it, that they may
know the reasons the II give for their
faith and works.